Computer MaintenanceBy: Devon’Tae McCray

Maintenance Issues

To properly maintain a car and have it running smoothly, you change the oil and filter, check the tire pressure, and complete other required maintenance on a regular schedule. The computer is no different, it also requires a regular maintenance.

Hardware Maintenance “Keyboard”

You should check and clean the keyboard periodically. Dust, hair, and food particles can accumulate, causing the keys to jam or otherwise malfunction. The safest way to clean your keyboard is to use a can of compressed air to remove the dust from the keyboard.

If you spill water onto the keyboard, turn off the computer immediately. Disconnect the keyboard, spray it with water to clean it, turn it upside down and shake to remove to liquid, and then use a cloth to dry it as much as possible. After it is cleaned, leave it upside down for at least 12 hours.

Hardware Maintenance “Mouse”

A mechanical mouse (with ball) can be difficult to move if the rollers are all clogged. Cleaning mechanical mice often eliminates jerky or erratic movement of the mouse pointer. To clean the rollers, you need to remove the bottom cover of the mouse. Generally you will find dirt or hair in the middle of the roller. Remove as much of this debris as much as possible, and then reassemble the mouse.

Hardware Maintenance “Inkjet Printer”

After so much usage, small deposits of dry ink accumulate on the print head of the printer. Eventually, these deposits begin clog the printer’s ink jets and affect the print quality of the document. This also causes streaks and blotchy printing.

Hardware Maintenance “Laser Printer”

Laser printers should be cleaned when you print quality deteriorates or when you change the toner cartridge. When you open a laser printer, however, do not touch anything shiny because it might be hot or contain a charge.

Computer Maintenance “Computer Memory”

One way to measure a computer’s power is by its capacity to remember. RAM is made up of small memory chips that form a memory module. These module are installed in the RAM slots on the motherboard of your computer.